Richard Callahan, OFM

1915 – 1992

Fr. Richard Callahan, OFM, was born in Allston, Mass., on April 1, 1915. After attending Notre Dame and St. Bonaventure universities in South Bend, Ind., and Allegany, N.Y., respectively, he entered the Franciscan novitiate in 1936 at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J.

One year later, he professed temporary vows. Fr. Richard made his profession of solemn vows in 1940 and was ordained a priest in 1942 at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Fr. Richard served the Church, the people and the friars of Holy Name Province faithfully as a dedicated priest for 50 years. He was among the first friars of Holy Name Province to go as missionaries to Mexico in 1943. He served at Guadalajara for five years and then returned to minister at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston where he was the director of brothers, assistant director of the Secular Franciscans, and an auxiliary at the Shrine.

From 1960 to 1970, Fr. Richard continued service church ministry at Our Lady’s Chapel in New Bedford, Mass. He was appointed to serve as guardian of the community there in 1964 and developed the ministries of the chapel while caring well for the needs of the friars.

In 1970, he was returned to St. Anthony Shrine, serving at the Prudential Center. Fr. Richard ministered at St. Anthony Shrine until his retirement in 1980. He then resided at St. Anthony Residence in Bosto, and worked part-time in Sacred Heart Parish in South Natick, Mass.

Fr. Richard was a mild, even-tempered friar whose kindness and friendliness enabled others to approach him with ease.

He died Aug. 4, 1992, after a brief illness in Natick. Fr. Richard was 77 years old, a professed friar for almost 55 years and a priest for 50 years.